Short Review: Two words: Lisa. Kelypas. Need I say more? I don’t think so. But if you insist, read the Long Review.
Long Review: I find it particularly hard to write reviews of books by my favorite authors. It’s all so tedious when all I can think of is superlatives. But since I’ve read the book, and perhaps you haven’t I’ll go on. For those of you who are Lisa kleypas fans, you’ve most likely already read this book, or your about to buy the book. So this review is directed to readers who have not yet read a Lisa Kleypas book, which can only mean you don’t read romance or, dare I say
it, may not have enjoyed a Kleypas book you’ve read in the past. So, to you I say, give her Hathaway series a try, trust me, I think you’ll enjoy it.
One of the things Ms. Kleypas is very good at is creating characters you want to get to know and you also want to know more about them. And so when she writes a continuing series you have the great pleasure of visiting characters over and over again. Secondly, Ms. Kleypas is a master at romance. She does it every time. No exaggeration. Her heroes and heroines captivate and delight, their romance is, well for want of a better word, romantic, in the best sense of the word. I can think of no higher praise. In short, she writes a damn good book. One that you want to keep and re-read. Simple, yes? You need more?
Tempt Me at Twilight is set in Victorian England and is the 3rd book in the Hathaway series and features the eccentric Hathaway family. Eccentric in a good way, filled with ‘love and laughter in the face of adversity’ kind of way. We were introduced to this close knit family in the first book, Mine Till Midnight and again in Seduce Me at Sunrise. Tempt Me at Twilight is about the third daughter, Poppy Hathaway, and all Poppy wants to be is normal. Normal. No cute eccentricities. No drama. Just plain, live her life, get married, have children, live to a ripe old age and watch her grandchildren play kind of normal.
When she is beset by scandal, you know those Victorians, almost anything constitutes scandal, she is faced with the prospect of having to marry Harry Rutledge. Harry is a rich, mysterious and powerful hotel owner. He’s also the villain of this book. Ooh, intrigue. And there you have it. As I said simple. But not in the hands of Lisa Kleypas, the acerbic wit, snappy dialogue, engaging characters (and, did I mention romance?) are trademark Kleypas and a winner. The thing that Lisa Kleypas excels at is the development of the relationship between her hero and heroine, and this book is no exception. Watching both Poppy and Harry get to really know one another and develop an understanding of each other is the core of this book.
So dear reader, if you’re looking for a romance book set in Victorian England about a family that loves each other with all their heart, is well meaning, supportive, a bit crazy, and a lot different, with a heroine who yearns for a simple and uncomplicated life and a hero who is accustomed to getting everything he wants and damn the consequences, and a marriage that takes not only work but honesty and eventually an abiding love, a book that is beautifully written, might I suggest Tempt Me at Twilight.